Thailand - Drought OCHA Situation Report No. 1

[R e l i e f W e b, 06 Feb 1999] Source: UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA)

The Civil Defence Division of the Ministry of the Interior reported that as of 29 January 1999, 6 million people in 44 provinces have been affected by Thailand's worst drought in decades. The areas concerned are 11 provinces in the North, 17 provinces in the North-East, 9 provinces in the Central Plains, 6 provinces in the East, and 1 province in the South. News reports hold that fears of drought have been averted in some provinces in the East and in the lower Central Plains owing to the downpour that drenched them on 28 January and did not let up for days.

Taking into consideration the record low water levels in Thailand's other major dams and reservoirs, Thai people will undoubtedly face severe drought in 1999. Water shortages have already hit many provinces as mentioned above. The drought situation could worsen during February to June this year. People have been urged to make careful use of the limited water supply.

In particular, farmers have been urged to respond to the impending water crisis by reducing their planting acreage for the second rice crop as a means to saving water. As part of a water rationing scheme The Royal Irrigation Department has discouraged farmers from planting a second rice crop this season and urged them to plant short-lived crops which consume less water, in the interim. The department of Livestock Development will also advise farmers to turn from second rice crop cultivation to poultry farming.

The above reported drought situation in Thailand unfortunately coincides with a difficult time of economic recession. Thailand must attach greater importance than before to agricultural production if there is to be a move towards economic recovery. Indeed, the agricultural sector should ideally act as a source of employment to workers laid off from industry, yet the coming of the drought can only weaken agriculture's role in improving the overall economy.